Foreword Foreword to the English Translation Note on transliteration List of Illustrations Introduction The Poche-Marcopoli Archive Structure and Content Part I: Trading Colonies and the “Khan Aristocracy” 1. From Temporary to Permanent Residence Aleppo as an Ottoman Commercial Metropolis Rise and Fall of the Trading Colonies The Europeans and the Local Population Becoming Residents Khan Society 2. The Poche Family: A Changing Identity Gaining a Foothold Ties with Europe The Arab-Ottoman Milieu Part II: The Fratelli Poche Company and its Network 3. Conquering the Hinterland of Aleppo Aleppo in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century The Entry into Regional Trade The Birth of the Fratelli Poche Company Outgoing Correspondence: An Overview Building a Regional Network The Wool Centre Urfa Diyarbekir and the Sale of Yarns The Struggle for Consular Posts 4. Credit and Payment Transactions Limiting Financial Risk Bills of Exchange Kambiyale as a Basic Credit Instrument Poliçe as a Means of Payment and Money Transfer Which Law for Bills of Exchange? Part III: Ways and Means of Settling Debt Cases 5. The Balancing Act: Informal Means vs. Official Procedures Of Threatening and Flattering The Case of Bakos Küçük Usta The Case of Mahmud Saʿatçi Involving Influential Figures An End to Patience The Case of Bedduş Demirci 6. The Development of the Mixed Commercial Court of Aleppo Prelude to the Tanzimat Reforms From Meclis to Mahkeme The Directeur des Affaires Extérieures The Consolidation of the Aleppo Commercial Court Between Rival Authorities 7. Continuity and Change in Commercial Conflict Resolution Delay and Ineffectuality The Use of Government Orders Dealing with Ottoman Officials The Fratelli Poche Company and the Tanzimat Reforms in Practice General Conclusion Appendix Bibliography Index